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UAE varsity grows with the Nation

At every firm unwavering footstep they support each other with equal fortitude and determination to create the future.

The United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) was established in the fifth year after the formation of the United Arab Emirates as per directives of the founding father of the nation, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan by virtue of the Federal Law 4 of the year 1976.

Thirty five eventful years of mutual giving and taking; and the march continued.

A few weeks ago the University launched its PhD program marking the beginning of a critical juncture in its history reflecting a transformation of its mission.

A man who dared change a barren desert stretching over the fringes of the Empty Quarter of our planet into a green oasis of culture, science and civilization, Sheikh Zayed was one of the few brave visionary leaders human history had seen. UAEU was his favorite project.

The vision behind the initiative was clear; to bring up a highly educated generation for the building of the nation.

This is what the UAEU has carried out in the past and continues to fulfill in the present, thanks to the directives of HH President Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who followed the path of his beloved father.

To assume the role of the first and foremost comprehensive National University of UAE was a rare challenge for the institution as the young citizens looked upon its dome as the mould of their motherland’s future.

The country’s prime seat of learning and science led the march of the country’s educational renaissance, thanks to the support of Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum.

The unlimited support given by General HH Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces for the UAEU played the vital role in the development of the university.

The UAEU found its strength in its Chancellor HE Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, UAE Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research. Begun with four colleges and 516 students three decades ago, the UAEU steadily grew giving education to more than 12,000 students every year. Recently the university could secure successful placements in the Regional Research and World University Ranking Tables as it was rated one among the top 400 research universities in the world.

The development was the result of the efforts and directives of Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, explains Vice Chancellor Dr. Abdullah Al Khanbashi.

In Sheikh Nahyan’s hands the university and its growth were safe.

The strategic plans of the university over the years were tuned to suit the needs of the country.

“Sheikh Nahyan has been the conductor with a clear vision”, Dr. Khanbashi said.

The UAEU now works to become a first-tier international, research-intensive institution among the top 100 research universities in the world. The recent launching of the PhD program consolidates the university’s excellence to achieve this goal within the next five years.

Sheikh Nahyan Bin Mubarak said: “The University took its time to offer this program so as to keep pace with the international standards applied by renowned universities when they offer a PhD program.”

“This represents a turning point in the academic history of this flagship national university”, He added.

The UAEU was established at a time when the country was lacking in infrastructure. Now the landscape has transformed enormously into the extent that UAE was chosen to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRINA). More than 56,000 men and women who graduated from the university over the past decades have contributed to this change. They have given strong leadership to the political, economic, cultural and social development of the country. And now it is time for the university to align itself with the emerging needs of the country in the context of the changing global trends.

“UAEU grew with the country”, notes Dr.Khanbashi.

The growth of the university was an example of calculated development. Focusing its attention on achieving quality of education in 1980s and obtaining international accreditation for its various programs including engineering, medicine and health sciences in 1990s, transforming its mission in 2005-2006 and bolstering its presence in the field of global research in 2008-2009, the UAEU is setting an example how fast and strong a university can grow.

An official executive summary of the university states: The 2008-2012 Strategic Plan is designed to define the fundamental direction and priorities of the United Arab Emirates University for the next five years. It envisions an internationally recognized university that is resolutely committed to advancing knowledge while respecting the nation’s rich heritage and values. It also commits the University to operate ethically, collaboratively, creatively and efficiently in furthering its mission. It recognizes the current University role, as the most comprehensive university in the UAE, to develop the next generation of national leaders while enhancing cultural, social and economic growth. It also defines an ambitious vision for the near term future to become a world-class center for applied research, national and international outreach, innovation and outcome-based learning.

“The University will also focus on creating knowledge rather than merely importing knowledge”, said the Vice Chancellor in a statement to the Emirates News Agency (WAM).

Taking up several unique research projects in diverse fields, the university is all set to make its strong presence in the field of the global research for the betterment of the humanity. The areas include global health, water studies and energy.

“Many inventions that influenced human welfare were made in universities”, Dr. Khanbashi reasoned, his eyes set on the future.

Situated in the Abu Dhabi emirate’s Al Ain City that overlooks Al-Hajer Mountains, about which some scientists believe that they were the first plateau on the surface of the planet to cool and solidify forming earth’s crust billions of years ago, the UAEU continues to influence history.

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